The information contained on this page is provided as general health information and is not intended to substitute as medical advice and direction from your physician or health care provider. Please direct any questions related to your health care provider. In an emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency center.

Alternative Names

How the Test is Performed

After you provide a urine sample, it is tested. The health care provider uses a dipstick made with a color-sensitive pad. The color change on the dipstick tells the provider the level of protein in your urine.

Dye (contrast media) if you have a radiology scan within 3 days before the urine test

Strenuous exercise

Urinary tract infection

Urine contaminated with fluids from the vagina

How the Test Will Feel

The test only involves normal urination. There is no discomfort.

Why the Test is Performed

This test is most often done when your provider suspects you have kidney disease. It may be used as a screening test.

Although small amounts of protein are normally in urine, a routine dipstick test may not detect them. A urine microalbumin test can be performed to detect small amounts of albumin in the urine that may not be detected on dipstick testing. If the kidney is diseased, proteins may be detected on a dipstick test, even if blood protein levels are normal.

Normal Results

For a random urine sample, normal values are 0 to 20 mg/dL.

For a 24-hour urine collection, the normal value is less than 80 mg per 24 hours.

The examples above are common measurements for results of these tests. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.